St. Mary's College High School Classic Novel August 1984 Readings: Begin 1984 : - Review of rhetorical writing using the TCECC format - Thesis statement review - Connection of the book s themes to today's society and the lives of students. - Reading fact versus fiction: The historical context of 1984 based upon the mood and political climate of 1949 Europe. - How does Orwell offer 1984 as a warning of totalitarianism? What parallels can we draw from the book to our current global culture? - Is it inevitable/unavoidable that we conform to the world and society around us? Self-assess practice essays Reflect on intentions of the author/historical context. - T-C-E-C-C Rhetorical Writing Format In-class quizzes To recognize themes of isolation/alienation, social class differences, abuse of power and propaganda. Historical context of the book, date written vs. envisioned future Recognizing propaganda Warning of totalitarianism Character development (Winston) Literary term identification (imagery, irony, symbolism v. allegory) Orwell s use of Winston s diary as a literary device Two-page essay comparing propaganda in the novel to historical or present day propaganda Final 1984 essay on conforming to society journals 1 of 5
September 1984 and The Stranger Readings: Continue 1984 and The Stranger by Albert Camus for 1984: - Review of rhetorical writing using the TCECC format - Thesis statement review - Connection of the book s themes to today's society and the lives of students. - Reading fact versus fiction: The historical context of 1984 based upon the mood and political climate of 1949 Europe. - How does Orwell offer 1984 as a warning of totalitarianism? What parallels can we draw from the book to our current global culture? - Is it inevitable/unavoidable that we conform to the world and society around us? Historical context of the book, date written vs. envisioned future Recognizing propaganda Warning of totalitarianism Character development (Winston) Literary term identification (imagery, irony, symbolism v. allegory) Orwell s use of Winston s diary as a literary device Self-assess practice essays To recognize themes of isolation/alienation, social class differences, abuse of power and propaganda. Reflect on intentions of the author/historical context. Identifying examples of existentialism and absurdism Realize the variety of methods that Camus painted his views of existentialism throughout the novel. Utilizing the art of the quotation. - T-C-E-C-C Rhetorical Writing Format Two-page essay comparing propaganda in the novel to historical or present day propaganda Final 1984 essay on conforming to society journals The Trial of Meursault group presentation with written portion using evidence from the text to convict or exonerate Meursault of murder. 2 of 5
for The Stranger: - Existentialism - Absurdism - Connection of the existentialist questions presented in the novel to the lives of students. - The relationship between how a person s outlook on life can be interpreted by society. - Character development (Meursault) - Relationship between existentialism and the popular movie Fight Club - The Myth of Sysiphus October More on The Stranger, and The Awakening Continued work from The Stranger: - Camus's use of setting as symbolism (heat, courtroom, etc) - How does Camus existentialist/absurdist views come into play in the novel. - Despite being frustrated with the existentialist viewpoint of Meursault, why does the reader still feel for him at the end? Identifying examples of existentialism and absurdism In-class writing assignment, crafting two paragraphs identifying evidence of existentialism in the novel. One-page essay: Women in the late 1800s Collaborative short story project journals, reflection for The Awakening: - Women's roles in the late 1800s - Kate Chopin s role in introducing women s freedoms at a time when it was not society s norm. - The rejection of Chopin s work until the mid 20th century. Realize the variety of methods that Camus painted his views of existentialism throughout the novel. Self-assess practice essays. Developed and practiced skills in college essay writing. 3 of 5
- The use of in Chopin s novel and various short stories. - The characteristics we assign to identity, independence and conforming. - Why was the writing of Kate Chopin considered to be ahead of her time? - How did Chopin s writing transform the thoughts of women s freedoms during her time period? - What is independence? Why is women s sexuality such an influence on independence? - Who decides one s identity? Ourselves or society? - The Awakening as a major text for women s identity and the self. - The naturalistic theme of the novel - The use of to convey Chopin s themes Chopin depicts the new American woman, 50 years before it s accepted - The naturalistic theme - Regionalism (local color) - Characterization of Edna (protagonist) Create and organize a short story by theme, plot overview, character list, conflict type, climax and use of Demonstrate mastery of the T-C- E-C-C Rhetorical Paragraph Writing Structure Realize the use of figurative language to reveal theme and meaning Define and give examples of how Chopin was ahead of her time as a feminist author. Identify and put to use the variety of methods of used in Chopin s novel and short stories by attempting a short story of their own. November More on The Awakening, and A Streetcar Named Desire Continued work for The Awakening: - Group presentations on plot, characters, setting, theme, symbolism represented throughout chapters of the Chopin novel. - Did Edna claim independence by committing suicide or did she ultimately crumble to a society that rejected her desire to become Final essay: Using evidence from the texts we have read this term to support and prove your argument (1984, The Stranger, The Awakening, A Streetcar Named Desire) AND at least one text from summer reading (Martin Luther King, Jr., Zeitoun, A Bend in the River), construct a response to the prompt: What shapes identity? 4 of 5
independent? Examined and practiced the organization and process of writing a final essay. Formal instructions and activities for A Streetcar Named Desire: - Biography on Tennessee Williams - In-class reading - How the play defines identity - Revealing true self Self-assess practice essays. Demonstrate mastery of the T-C- E-C-C Rhetorical Paragraph Writing Structure In-class three paragraph essay answering question on identity: Who are you, how do others see you, who shapes your identity? Group presentation: Assigned chapter from The Awakening, identifying the plot, characters, setting and theme/symbolism represented in that chapter. Realize the use of figurative language to reveal theme and meaning Practiced grammar: affect vs. effect Practiced scene reading in groups, group scene reading journals, reflection Class discussions/questioning from instructor 5 of 5